MP’s From Both Sides Join in Condemning Government Plans for Unnecessary Housing
MP's and Cheltonians gather in Town Hall to Protest against RSS
Save the Countryside arranged a meeting on April 24th for spokespersons from the major parties to come to the Cheltenham Municipal Offices to inform us of their party’s stance on the government’s Regional Spatial Strategy – RSS. Over 150 people packed into the Chamber to cheer them on.
Martin Horwood and Nick Herbert, the shadow environment ministers for Lib Dems and Conservative respectively arrived, but no one from the Government! Both MP’s spoke strongly and cogently against the RSS. In fact Nick Herbert went on to say that even if the RSS became law, the Conservatives would develop a new law, which would allow a revisit of the RSS regime once they regain power.
Unfortunately the current administration is scheduled to make a judgement on the RSS this June and therefore before any General Election. However, there may be the option of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Councils taking their arguments to the law courts, which might delay any actual laws long enough to bridge the gap to a change of government.
Martin suggested that it was public uprising that was the reason why the RSS is still not yet finalised in the South of the country (initially scheduled for September 2008). With over 60,000 responses in the south alone, it has clearly rocked the government’s complacence.
So, if you have responded in the past, it is thanks to you, and other like-minded individuals that have made the difference so far. Thanks.
Save the Countryside is now part of a South West Alliance of at least 12 – 15 like minded groups. The main focus is to stop the snatching of the Green Belt and to ask the government to reconsider the volumes they think are needed. We are set to continue to grow, but once again it will be individuals like you who matter.
If you care, keep sending emails to the address below and let us know that you want to keep your greenbelt and the character of your local area.
Helen Wells
